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INFORMATION FOR

Christine Ko, MD

Professor of Dermatology and Pathology
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Contact Info

203.785.4094

Dermatology

PO Box 208059, 333 Cedar Street

New Haven, CT 06520-8059

United States

About

Titles

Professor of Dermatology and Pathology

Biography

Dr. Christine Ko is Professor of Dermatology and Pathology. She is board certified in dermatology with a specialty certificate in dermatopathology. Most of her time is spent in the Division of Dermatopathology, where she renders diagnoses for skin biopsies, sent in to Yale from Yale Dermatology Associates and other dermatology practices in Connecticut. Dr. Ko currently specializes in Transplant Dermatology, providing care for patients with organ transplants who are generally on immunosuppressive medications and are at higher risk for skin cancer.

Dr. Ko received her AB at Princeton University and MD from New York University School of Medicine. She completed internship at UCLA, and her dermatology residency at University of California, Irvine. Her research focuses on skin cancer, particularly squamous cell carcinoma and keratoacanthoma, in collaboration with researchers in the Department of Genetics and the Division of Dermatologic Surgery.

Appointments

Other Departments & Organizations

Education & Training

Postdoctoral Fellow
University of California, Los Angeles, CA (2004)
Resident
University of California, Irvine, CA (2003)
Intern
University of California, Los Angeles, CA (2000)
MD
New York University School of Medicine (1999)
BA
Princeton University (1995)

Research

Overview

I tend to focus on how to distinguish between diseases and disorders that may present in a similar fashion clinically and/or microscopically. I have published papers as well as books in clinical dermatology and dermatopathology (Dermatology: Visual Recognition and Case Reviews, Dermatology Essentials, Dermatopathology: Diagnosis by First Impression).

I am also interested in mechanisms of carcinogenesis, particularly as they relate to squamous cell carcinoma of the skin and a spontaneously regressing tumor called keratoacanthoma.

Medical Research Interests

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Dermatology; Epidermis; Keratoacanthoma; Neoplasms, Adnexal and Skin Appendage; Pathology; Skin Neoplasms; Vascular Neoplasms

Research at a Glance

Yale Co-Authors

Frequent collaborators of Christine Ko's published research.

Publications

2024

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Clinical Trials

Current Trials

Clinical Care

Overview

Dermatologist Christine J. Ko, MD, prides herself on being able to provide patients with an accurate diagnosis so they can have the most effective treatment possible. Just as important to her are the relationships she forms with her patients, whether they are adults, adolescents or children. “I try to treat patients as I would a family member with the same condition,” she says.

In addition to being a clinical dermatologist, Dr. Ko is also a skin pathologist, or dermatopathologist. This additional training helps her to better evaluate skin biopsies for her patients.

Dermatopathology is a key part of dermatology, says Dr. Ko. “The correct diagnosis often rests on a careful correlation between clinical and microscopic findings, something that is especially important for complex cases,” she says. “We can arrive at this diagnosis by reviewing prior biopsies, taking new biopsies, and consulting our team of dermatologists and dermatopathologists at our weekly Grand Rounds meetings.”

A professor of dermatology and dermatopathology at Yale School of Medicine, Dr. Ko is particularly interested in skin cancer. “One of my passions is to better understand the mechanisms of squamous cell carcinogenesis,” says Dr. Ko. This is one of the most common types of skin cancer today and is highly treatable if detected early, she says.

Clinical Specialties

Dermatology; Dermatopathology

Fact Sheets

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Board Certifications

  • Dermatopathology

    Certification Organization
    AB of Dermatology
    Original Certification Date
    2004

Yale Medicine News

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Contacts

Academic Office Number
Appointment Number
Clinic Fax Number
Mailing Address

Dermatology

PO Box 208059, 333 Cedar Street

New Haven, CT 06520-8059

United States

Locations

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